On Monday, Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured Beijing that U.S. military bases would not be used for hostile action, emphasizing that the arrangement with Washington would improve his country’s defenses.
This week, China’s foreign ministry warned that the U.S. military expansion in the Philippines would deepen regional strife after Manila allowed Washington access to additional locations.
Marcos told reporters China reacted. He said the Philippines would not allow base misuse.
On Monday, the Philippines tripled its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites to four (EDCA).
Three bases face Taiwan, and one faces the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands. China also created artificial islands with runways and missile systems.
Concerned about China’s South China Sea and Taiwan activities, EDCA highlights the Philippines’ strategic importance to the U.S.
The U.S. temporarily used Filipino sites for joint training, pre-positioning equipment, runway development, fuel storage, and military housing in 2014.
“If no one is assaulting us,” Marcos said. “We’re strengthening Republic territory.”
Marcos’ remarks precede the Philippines and U.S.’ largest military drills, involving live shooting at sea.
